Grilled octopus, asparagus and bacon

It is rare even for my lazy friends who are free all afternoon and I to sip champagne over lunch. But at le Muselet, it is traditional, for this restaurant  run by a Japanese chef is entirely devoted to independent champagne growers. And it is a delight. Its name comes from the iron wire that keeps champagne corks on the bottle.

Champagnes of all kinds are a real asset to the Muselet

I was thinking all along of two writers, Alexandra Lapierre and Amélie Nothomb who both love to drink champagne. This modern and modest restaurant (25 seats ) is really a tasting place for bubbles of every kind and for artistic French Japanese dishes. The menu is very short : one starter, a fish or a meat main dish, and two desserts for lunch.

Chocolate and mascarpone with incredibly fine cookies

For dinner, there are diffrent menu choices,but the chef decides everyday what he is going to cook. And it is a surprise for the customer.

Today the starter was grilled octopus which I passed, but my friends said it was exceptionally good. It had he lamb cooked on hay,  which was melting in my mouth and the vegetables were very tasty. The cod with tarragon was ideally cooked.

A modest address rue St Georges

Dessert of chocolate and cream (croustillant de chocolat, mousse mascarpone) was probably the most ecstatic experience I’ve had in a long time and “Tarte chibouste, sorbet rhubarbe, fraise” was also lovely.

The two chefs are Japanese : Satoshi Nakamaura and Karori Akasawa (the lady who makes desserts on order) are both exceptional and working out of a tiny kitchen. Service is smiling and very respectful!

Crème chiboust with strawberries and rhubarb sherbet

Le muselet is used exclusively on champagne corks

There is a pre theater dinner at 7 pm and  with champagne tastings. I wanted to make sure to share this divine experience with you, a delicate moment of French Japanese cooking. Menu découverte is at 45€ and menu dégustation at 60€. And there is cheese from Quatre Homme.

(48 rue St Georges, Paris 9)